Wrap it Up - Old Fashioned Car

Sorry for the delay in posting, but I wanted to make sure that the Father's Day card I sent to my husband's father made it on time before I posted it. Then the week zipped by. Hopefully he won't think that I'm implying that he's circa 1920 or whenever this car is from, but I really liked it so made it in a couple colors. For this card, I went with dark cards to make it more masculine despite the swirls. Actually, I'm almost positive that the decorative swirls are in the shape of peppers, which doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, but oh well. The important thing is that it's cute. I lined the inside with white cardstock and stamped "Happy Father's Day" using the My Pink Stamper Happiest Moments stamp set. Here's his card:



Materials:
Cardstock: Paper Trey Ink, Stampin Up, misc
Paper: My Mind's Eye Stella & Rose collection
Cartridge: Wrap it Up
Ribbon: Paper Trey Ink
Stamp: My Pink Stamper Happiest Moments

Slowcooker Honey Hoisin Chicken

This recipe is from A Year of Slow Cooking and was intended for chicken wings. My husband loves hoisin sauce, so I didn't imagine there would be much harm in trying the recipe with larger chicken pieces. I swapped in crushed red pepper for the hot sauce mainly because I didn't have any on hand and omitted the oil because I forgot to add it. The chicken turned out quite yummy and disappeared in a flash! If only I had made more so there would have been leftovers. I server this over brown rice with grilled zucchini on the side.



3 lbs chicken pieces (wings, thighs, drumsticks, etc)
1/2 cup Hoisin Sauce
1/4 cup honey
4-5 garlic cloves, smashed and minced
1 inch of ginger, peeled and minced or grated
1 tsp crushed red pepper
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper

Whisk all ingredients except for chicken together.

Arrange chicken in even layers on bottom of the slow cooker.

Pour sauce over chicken. Turn to coat.

Cook for 4 hours on high or 6-7 on low. (I did a combination of the two temperatures, about 2 one high and 3-4 on low.) The longer you cook the chicken, the more likely it is to fall apart, however. If you're looking to eat the chicken with your fingers, monitor it closely. Make sure to turn the chicken whenever you check for doneness. This will help it turn a lovely mahogany brown color.

serves 4-6

My Recipe Index (finally!)

Motivated by the Organizing Junkie Recipe Index Round-Up, I finally began assembling my recipes into an index. At the moment, all the recipes posted since I moved back to Hawaii (November 2010 and forward) are linked below, as well as select categories. If you click on the heading of each category, you will be taken to a long version of all the recipes that I have tagged with that category. I will endeavor to update the index on a regular basis, so check back for updates!

[Beef] [Breads] [Breakfast] [Desserts] [Lamb] [Pasta] [Pork] [Poultry] [Sides] [Slow Cooker] [Soups] [Veggies and Legumes]

Beef

Source: thefishieskitchen.blogspot.com via TheFishie's on Pinterest

Beef Broccoli in the Slow Cooker
Beef with Broccoli
Beef Pot Pie (cheater version)
Chili with Beef
Grilled Flank Steak
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Slowcooker Chili with Shredded Beef
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Sweet and Savory Short Ribs with Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Breads and Muffins

Source: thefishieskitchen.blogspot.com via TheFishie's on Pinterest

Another Honey Wheat Bread
Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Apple Oat Muffins
Easy Banana Muffins
Blueberry-Oat Muffins
Buttermilk blueberry muffins
Carrot-Apple Muffins w/Raisins and Pecans
Bagels from scratch
Cheddar Bacon Biscuits
Cheddar Biscuits with Sage
Cinnamon Raisin Bread
Cinnamon Raisin Granola Bars
Chocolate-Chocolate Muffins
Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
Easy Cornbread with Turkey Chili
Fall Banana Bread
Honey Cinnamon Butter
Honey-Oatmeal Bread
Homemade Hamburger or Hot Dog Buns
Honey Wheat Bagels
Honey Whole Wheat Bread (Breadmaker)
Honey Whole Wheat Bread
Honey Whole Wheat Bread with Flax Seed
Low-fat Blueberry Muffins
Panetone (fancy raisin bread)
Pizza Dough (Breadmaker)
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Pumpkin Muffins with Raisins and Walnuts
Sourdough Starter
Rustic Sourdough Bread
Simple French Boule
Sourdough Pretzels
Strawberry and White Chocolate Scones
Super Easy Cornbread Muffins
Teddy Bear Challah Bread
Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cherry Scones
Whole Wheat Banana-Chocolate Muffins with Pecans
Whole Wheat English Muffins
Whole Wheat Sourdough Bread

Breakfast

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Banana Pecan Waffles
Buttermilk Pancakes with Wheat Germ
Buttermilk Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes
Chocolate Banana Pecan Cinnamon Buns
Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon Muffin Rolls
Easy Potato Pancakes
Ham, Asparagus, and Shallots Crustless Quiche
Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets
Homemade Pancake Syrup
Pancakes with Pineapple Sauce
Whole Wheat Belgian Waffles with Oatmeal
Whole Wheat Oatmeal Pancakes

Desserts and Snacks

Source: thefishieskitchen.blogspot.com via TheFishie's on Pinterest

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Cherry Upside Down Cake
Chocolate Banana Pecan Cinnamon Buns
Chocolate Banana Cream Pie
Chocolate Cherry Log Cake
Chocolate Cheesecake (super easy)
Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon Muffin Rolls
Chocolate Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting (perfect with Jam-Filled Cupcakes)
Double Chocolate Chip Ice Cream (no eggs)
Double Chocolate or Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
Chocolate Cream Pie
Cinnamon Raisin Granola Bars
Cranberry Shortbread Cookies
Jam-Filled Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting
Libby's Pumpkin Pie
Martha Stewart Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Pecan-Cherry Granola Bars
Raspberry Oatmeal Crumb Bars
Red Velvet Chocolate Layer Cake
Smoothie - Greenie Goodness
S'mores Ice Cream (Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe included)
Strawberry Frozen Yogurt
Strawberry Layer Cake
Strawberries and Cream Popsicles
Strawberry Ice Cream

Lamb

Source: thefishieskitchen.blogspot.com via TheFishie's on Pinterest

Braised Lamb with Tomato Reduction
Irish Lamb Stew
Leg of Lamb with Herbs and Mustard
Slowcooker Lamb with Dried Plums
Slowcooker Lamb Shanks with Dried Plums

Pasta

Source: thefishieskitchen.blogspot.com via TheFishie's on Pinterest

Broccoli Whole Wheat Mac and Cheese
Simple Pasta with Meat Sauce
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Turkey Bolognese
Turkey Spinach Lasagna
Turkey Spinach Mushroom Lasagna
Turkey Shells

Pork

Source: thefishieskitchen.blogspot.com via TheFishie's on Pinterest

Garlic Alfredo Ham and Veggies
Ham and Spinach Pasta
Ham, Asparagus, and Shallots Crustless Quiche
Mustard-Sugar Glazed Ham

Poultry (Chicken, Turkey)

Source: thefishieskitchen.blogspot.com via TheFishie's on Pinterest

Baked Apricot Chicken
Baked Plum Chicken - oven version of Chicken w/Dried Plums
BBQ Chicken Pizza
Blackened Chicken Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
Buffalo Chicken Bites - awesome appetizer!
Buttermilk Oven-Fried Chicken
Buttermilk Ranch Chicken Wrap
Chicken Brown Rice Bake
Chicken Fried Rice
Chicken with Dried Plums - skillet version
Chicken Sausage Pasta (or Soup)
Herb butter roasted turkey
Our Best Bites Chicken Cacciatore
Mango Chicken Stir Fry
Parmesan Chicken Tenders
Roast Turkey Breast
Roasted and Steamed Duck
Moroccan Chicken
Pad See-Ew
Slowcooker Honey Hoisin Chicken
Slowcooker Shoyu Chicken
Southwest Chicken Salad
Spicy Honey Brushed Chicken with Brown Rice
Turkey Bolognese
Turkey Chili with Cornbread
Turkey Meatballs
Turkey Meatloaf
Turkey Shells
Unstuffed Bell Peppers

Sides

Source: thefishieskitchen.blogspot.com via TheFishie's on Pinterest

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Apple Cider Cranberry Sauce
Baked Potato Skins
Brown Rice
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Creamed Spinach
Easy Scalloped Potatoes
Fresh Guacamole
Roasted Cheesey Cauliflower
Sage Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes
Sourdough-Cornbread Cranberry Walnut Stuffing
Wild Rice with Dried Cherries

Slow Cooker Recipes

Source: thefishieskitchen.blogspot.com via TheFishie's on Pinterest

Beef Bourguignon (or fancy pot roast braised with wine)
Beef Broccoli in the Slow Cooker
Beef Burgundy
Beef and Mushroom Soup
Beef Stroganoff
Beef Stroganoff II
Slowcooker Black Bean Soup
Chicken Cacciatore
Honey Hoisin Chicken
Kalua Pig
Mac and Cheese
Moroccan Chicken
Lamb with Prunes
Slowcooker Lamb Shanks with Dried Plums
Lamb Tagine
Slowcooker Shoyu Chicken
Sweet and Savory Short Ribs
Teriyaki Chicken
Teriyaki Chicken Sauce (Our Best Bites)

Soups, Stews, and Chilis

Source: thefishieskitchen.blogspot.com via TheFishie's on Pinterest

Broccoli Cheese Soup
Butternut Squash Soup with Caramelized Onions
Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Soup
Chicken Soup with Orzo
Chicken Sausage Pasta (or Soup)
Chili with Beef
Cream of Mushroom Soup
French Onion Soup
Hearty Chicken Noodle Soup
Irish Lamb Stew
Jamie Oliver's Roasted Tomato Soup
Potato Cheddar Soup
Roasted Carrot and Potato Soup
Roasted Cauliflower Soup
Slowcooker Beef and Mushroom Soup
Slowcooker Black Bean Soup
Slowcooker Garden Minnestrone
Slowcooker Chili with Shredded Beef
Spinach, Tomato and Bean Soup
Tomato Soup with Broccolini
Tomato Spinach Soup
Turkey Chili with Cornbread

Veggies and Legumes

Source: thefishieskitchen.blogspot.com via TheFishie's on Pinterest

Black Bean Burritos
Eggplant Parmesan
Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Mushrooms
Roasted Cheesey Cauliflower

Pooh Album Cover

Here's the cover and the final page of my first Pooh album. I had originally intended to cut out the big tree that serves as Pooh's house, but it didn't turn out well. Using the fit to page function, the larges I could cut the tree was at 8.25", however the door and other features were far too tine. This sign was much more simple and allowed me to include yet another Pooh! The font is from American Alphabet.







Next I'm not sure whether to make more pages or start filling our Disney pictures. All together, the Pooh & Friends pages offer about 11 photo mats, which may be couple more than I have of us with the characters. Stay tuned!

The Gang

When I started cutting names and faces, I had hoped to put a face with a name on separate pages. Then I realized that the names were cut too wide to fit with a head in most cases or just weren't proportionate even though cut at 4". However, the three of them fit together perfectly. I used stamps from the Pink by Design "Big Thoughts" collection and more paper from the My Mind's Eye Stella Rose collection.

Although Pooh and Eeyore are my favorites, Piglet is right behind them. The Pooh and Friends cartridge has a number of fun cuts of the characters in all sorts of poses. I especially like this dancing one as it looks like Piglet is having so much fun. Piglet's cut at 8" and his name at 4". I continued to use paper from the My Mind's Eye Stella Rose paper collection. The gorgeous fuchsia ribbon came free with a purchase, possibly from Chicos.

I've now finished all the pages that will go in the Pooh section of my Disney album, except for the pictures, of course. I have two more to show you, so check back later today or tomorrow!

Double Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

This simple recipe was modified from this recipe at Southernfood. I have been wanting to make ice cream for some time after seeing a number of recipes on the various food blogs I follow in the recent weeks. This recipe was incredibly simple since there are no eggs in it, however for best results it is best to chill the ice cream mixture overnight and the ice cream before serving. I already have another recipe in the works, so look for more ice cream adventures soon!

3 oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 c granulated sugar
2 c milk
1 c cream (original recipe reversed the milk and cream)
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 c mini chocolate chips or roughly chopped dark chocolate

Combine all ingredients except vanilla and chips in a small saucepan. Cook over medium low to medium, stirring frequently until all the chocolate is melted. Stir in vanilla.

If desired, process mixture through blender until completely smooth. Cool completely, ideally overnight.

Pour chilled mixture into churning ice cream maker. (I used the Kitchen Aide stand mixer attachment and it worked marvelously.) Slowly add in chips or whatever add-ins you choose.

Churn until soft serve thickness is achieved. This took 20-30 minutes on low.



Chill overnight until firm. As you can see in this picture, it is definitely more ice cream-like. Note that the true commercial texture will not be achieved unless you first make a custard using eggs. Still, not bad at all, tasty, and definitely scoopable!

Tigger

I don't see the draw, but Tigger's my husband's favorite. I must say that this page came together quite nicely and I was even able to use an image that I had cut out some time ago. The swirly bracket is from American Alphabet, although I do not remember what size it is cut at. Tigger's face is cut at 4" and his name at 3.5". The twine is from Paper Trey Ink and the paper from the My Mind's Eye Stella Rose collection. I distressed the edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink and did some simple stitching around the letters. I hope everyone is having a wonderful Sunday!

Pooh

Here's the second layout I finished today. Pooh's cut at 8" and the title at 4". The ribbon is from Paper Trey Ink and the paper is more from the My Mind's Eye called Stella Rose.

Eeyore

Last night I designed four new pages, which I hope to finish today. here's the first. I've now cut all the characters at 8" and have been amazed at the differences in sizing. I suppose when the characters are walking about Disneyland, it's useful if they're roughly the same size so adults or pimply teenagers, more likely, can dress as them, but it's quite strange to see the them all same size when cut out on a page. Notwithstanding, when featuring them separately, I will cut them as big as I want. I used pattern paper from My Mind's Eye called Stella Rose for the photo mat. Eeyore's cut at 8" while his name is at 4".

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cherry Scones

This was my first attempt at making scones in quite a while. I have lately taken quite a liking to them at the local bakery and even at Starbucks because they seem more filling than a muffin. I remember once thinking that they were too dry to be enjoyed, but either recipes have become less so or my tastes have changed. Anyway, I adapted this recipe at Cranberry Morning to swap in whole wheat and make the recipe a little lighter. (Sorry the pictures aren't so hot. I snapped them in the morning before taking them to work and it was overcast.)


Printable Version

Ingredients
3/4 c whole wheat flour
1.25 c all purpose flour
1/3 c sugar
2.5 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c butter, diced
2/3 c half and half (I used 2% and it was okay but a little dry)
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1 c chocolate chips or dark chocolate
1 c dried cherries (or cranberries)

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Whisk dry ingredients together in the base of the stand mixer. Cut in butter and mix until crumbly.

In a separate small bowl, mix half and half (or milk), vanilla, and egg. With the mixer on low, gradually add in liquid until well-mixed.

Stir in chocolate chips and dried berries.

Drop large scoops onto a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper. (I used my muffin scoop, which is about 1/4 to 5/8 of a cup).

Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. You may also want to use a toothpick to check for complete doneness.

Makes 10-12 medium scones.

Neglected Cartridges

Updated 10-5-11

When I updated the list of my collection last week, I felt quite guilty to realize that there are a number of cartridges that I have never used or have failed to give the serious attention that they deserve. Although it could be worse--no cartridge is still in its packaging because I love pouring over the handbooks--I must make a decided effort to spread the love around, especially to cartridges that have a ton of potential to become awesome projects. I hope to permanently link this post somewhere on the main page and update it as I make progress. Below I've divided my neglected cartridges into two categories. "New/Unused" means that I've never cut a single image. "Neglected" simply means that I haven't used them as much as I would like.

New/Used
1. Country Life
2. Preserves
3. 50 States
4. Mickey and Friends - As soon as I finish the Pooh pages, this will be used to complete my Disney trip album.
5. Better Together
6. Happy Hauntings - It's not too early to start preparing for Halloween, is it?
7. Best of Pixar - Like the Disney cartridges, I was a little intimidated by all the tiny pieces in this cart, but I know I can do it!
8. Cricut Lite - Yee Haw
9. Circut Lite - 9 Months
10. Locker Talk


Neglected
1. My Community
2. Sesame Street Seasons - I cut a ton of snowflakes from this cart, but no characters yet.
3. Cricut Lite - Savory - This is a perfect compliment to From My Kitchen and Preserves
4. Cricut Lite - Carousel - This contains really fun amusement park images; I can't believe I haven't done a ton with it. (Updated 9/15 - I started making an album but quit after finishing only a couple of pages).
5. Pack Your Bags - I have cut a number of images from this cart, but have a ton of ideas and am dying to use it more.
6. Boys Will be Boys - Between this and Beep Beep, I'm set for toy vehicles
7. Stand and Salute - Big projects in the planning for this one
8. Happily Ever After - Like Sesame Street, I've cut loads of accessories, but not Disney images. Now that my skills have improved and I have my Cutterbee tweezers, I should be up for the challenge.
9. Cricut Lite - Block Party - I made a single bbq card last summer. Must make more this year!
10. Nifty Fifties - I have a ton of ideas for this cart, but just haven't made them happen yet.
11. Baby Steps - I'm in love with this cartridge and must, must, must make time for it soon!


I'm not going to count the cartridges that were freebies or came with a machine such as Potpourri, Indie Art, Tags, Bags, Boxes and More, and Printing Press. All of those I have neglected, but don't feel too guilty about because I didn't specifically purchase them. As for the others, particularly those on my New/Unused, I will do my best to pay some attention to them soon as their cuteness deserves it!

Winnie the Pooh - Thinking of You

Here's the last layout I made over the weekend with the Pooh and Friends cartridge. Pooh's cut at 8" and the grass and worm are at 1.5 - 2". The butterfly is at 2.5". The sentiment is cut at 1.75" from American Alphabet.

My Collection

I just updated my "Cricut Owned" and my "Cricut Wish List" which can be found along the right side of my blog. I still need to go back and include some links, but I all my new cartridges are listed. Can you believe that I have purchased or otherwise received 3 new Cricut machines and 24 new cartridges since moving back to Hawaii a little over 6 months ago? Isn't that insane? To be fair, around Christmas time, Provocraft and all the online venors dropped their price dramatically in anticipation of Provocraft flooding the market not only with a new Expression but also with a ton of new cartridges. Prices have "stabilized" in the last few months (read: increased), but are still not quite at their average 2010 prices, which makes them generally more affordable. Additionally, instead of releasing new cartridges at a suggested retail price of 89.99, most cartridges seem to be priced at $55.99, which means a drop to the $30s, which is generally the max I'd pay for a cartridge, isn't too dramatic.

Some of the new cartridges I received last month include:



I do plan on eventually tagging projects with the cartridges for easy reference, but like many, that organizing project is a ways off. Thanks for visiting. Check back for another Pooh layout soon!